Cam Jurgens: Who is Jason Kelce’s handpicked replacement for the Philadelphia Eagles?

Jurgens has been thrust into the spotlight with Kelce retiring.

Jason Kelce on Monday confirmed his retirement from the NFL in an emotional press conference, and the Philadelphia Eagles will not be the same. A six-time first-team All-Pro and a surefire Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Kelce leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Eagles’ offensive line, a unit he anchored as its center for 13 seasons — which included two Super Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl championship following the 2017 season.

However, the Eagles aren’t hopeless in the wake of Kelce’s retirement. In fact, the 36-year-old helped Philadelphia select the player who will now replace him in 2024. Kelce’s replacement as the Eagles’ starting center will be Cameron Jurgens, who was Philly’s second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Kelce called Jurgens his “favorite player in the draft” after the Eagles took him with the 51st overall selection, and he confirmed that the franchise had for years asked him to help identify his ideal replacement. Jurgens, who stands 6’3” and weighs in at 303 pounds, was regarded as the best choice.

Jurgens has played 28 games in two NFL seasons and made 11 starts at right guard in 2023. Now the man responsible for snapping the ball to franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts, Jurgens will be tasked with fostering a strong running game as the center — the Eagles ranked eighth in team rushing yards and fifth in rushing touchdowns last season.

Jurgens also has an important role on Hurts’ quarterback sneaks, which have been given a special twist since coming into frequent usage. Kelce helped make the “Tush Push” one of the NFL’s most unstoppable plays, and this is yet another responsibility that rests now on the shoulders of the 24-year-old Jurgens.